Plectranthus plant named ‘P000607’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Plectranthus  plant named ‘P000607’, characterized by having more compact, freely branching plant habit; shorter production time; vigorous growth habit; large blue flowers; and dense colorful foliage.

Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: Plectranthushybrida.

Variety denomination: P000607.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPlectranthus plant, botanically known as Plectranthus hybrida (FamilyLamiaceae), hereinafter referred to by the name ‘P000607’.

The new Plectranthus, ‘P000607’, is a product of a planned breedingprogram conducted by the Inventor, Gert Johannes Brits, in Stellenbosch,Republic of South Africa. The objective of the breeding program is toimprove upon the Plectranthus varieties currently available, such as thecultivar ‘Edelbau’ (unpatented) by developing a Plectranthus varietywith a more compact growth habit, larger flowers and improved vigor. Thenew Plectranthus originated from a hybrid backcross by the Inventorbetween a proprietary selection of Plectranthus named ‘F1’ (P.saccatus×P. hilliardiae; unpatented) and a proprietary selection ofunnamed Plectranthus hilliardiae (unpatented). The parental cultivar, P.hilliardiae, has a compact plant habit, large elongated leaves, purpleveined leaves on the underside, and a narrow, elongated flower tube. Theparent cultivar P. ‘F1’ has a tall, straggly plant habit, the leaves arenot elongated, green leaves on the underside, and large, wide flowertube, largest flower in the genus.

The new cultivar has been produced only by vegetative propagation(cuttings). The Inventor selected the new Plectranthus cultivar from theprogeny of the above cross in 2001 on the basis of its compact growthhabit; larger flowers and increased vigor.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken andpropagated in 1999-2001, has shown that each of the progenies exhibitcharacteristics identical to the original plant. These characteristicshave been shown to come true to form through many generations of asexualpropagation under commercial production conditions in Nr. Lyndelse, Fyn,Denmark. The present invention has been tested under lighted greenhouseconditions and for keeping quality in a consumer environment, but maydiffer in various aspects if grown under different conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar ‘P000607’ have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, daylength, and fertility level without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘P000607’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘P000607’ as a new distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Large blue flowers;    -   2. Compact and freely branching plant habit;    -   3. Shorter production time, 12-14 weeks as compared to 16-28        weeks in similar varieties;    -   4. Dense, colorful foliage; and    -   5. Sexual sterility.

Side-by-side comparisons between the instant plant and other similarPlectranthus, including the variety ‘Edelblau’, were conducted by theInventor. Plants of ‘P000607’ differ from other similar Plectranthuscultivars, including the variety ‘Edelblau’, in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘P000607’ have longer, clear bright blue flowers        than plants of similar Plectranthus cultivars.    -   2. Plants of ‘P000607’ have better branching growth habit and        denser, more colorful foliage than plants of similar        Plectranthus cultivars.    -   3. Plants of ‘P000607’ have a faster growth rate than plants of        similar Plectranthus cultivars.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which more accurately describe theactual colors of ‘P000607’.

The first photographic drawing shows a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘P000607’ as grown in 12 cm pots.

The second photographic drawing shows a close-up view of typicalflowering racemes of ‘P000607’.

The third photographic drawing shows a close-up of the inflorescence of‘P000607’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, 4^(th) edition. Plants weregrown under greenhouse conditions. The plants described were between 12and 15 weeks old after cutting, as grown in 12 cm pots.

-   Parentage: Hybrid backcross between proprietary selection of    Plectranthus named ‘F1’ (Plectranthus saccatus×P. hilliardiea;    unpatented) and unnamed Plectranthus hilliardiea (unpatented).-   Propagation: Type cutting. Terminal vegetative cuttings.-   Plant description:    -   -   Form.—Perennial, herbaceous plant with upright, branched            plant form.        -   Crop time.—Flowering induced by short day treatment in 12 cm            pots for 4 weeks under greenhouse conditions.        -   Plant height (soil level to top of plant plane).—About 35            cm.        -   Plant spread.—About 35 cm.        -   Stem.—Upright, stiff, square, branching from base, RHS 138 B            (dark green).        -   Vigor.—Vigorous growth rate.        -   Foliage description.—Leaves single, ovate, serrate.            Arrangement: opposite, decussate. Length: 8 cm. Width: 6 cm.            Apex: Acuminate. Base: Cuneate. Texture: adaxial: rough            (hispid), shiny; abaxial: smooth, velvety. Venation:            prominent, dark purple, N79 B. Color, ventral side: Young            foliage, upper and lower surfaces: RHS 136 B, green. Mature            foliage, upper and lower surfaces: RHS 139 A. Color, dorsal            side: Young foiliage, R.H.S. 139 B. Mature foliage: RHS 138            B.        -   Petiole.—3 mm in length, 5 mm in diameter; hispid texture, N            79 B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower arrangement.—Raceme of panicles.        -   Flower shape.—Irregular labiate, flat tubular with 4 lips of            different size and shape.        -   Flower longevity on the plant.—Longevity of individual            flowers is highly dependent on temperature and light            conditions; single flowers last from 4 to 6 days in the            greenhouse with full sun and temperatures not exceeding 20°            C.; plant may retain flowers up to 4 weeks in sufficient            light and temperatures not exceeding 20° C.        -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—25-30; 80-90 per stem;            up to 200 per plant.        -   Inflorescence size.—25-30 flowers per inflorescence: Length            (average): 8 cm; Diameter: 6 cm.        -   Floral tube.—Length 23 mm; Diameter (average): 5.5 mm.        -   Buds.—Length: Up to 25 mm before antithesis; height: 5 mm;            width: 1 mm; tubular with angular “head”, N89 B; base N82B;            inner color very light purple, RHS 76D.        -   Petals.—5 fused to basal, flat tubular corolla. Lips            spotted, velvety texture. Top lip (2 fused) to inverted            cordate form, revolute upright, 15 mm. Bottom lip involute,            almost cup-shaped, 7 mm. Wing lips small, rounded, 4 mm.            Color: ventral side of lips: light purple, N82D; dark purple            spots: N79A; throat: violet, RHS 84 D; dorsal side: blue,            RHS 90 C.        -   Sepals.—Lenth 2 mm; width 1 mm, matte texture, puberulent.        -   Calyx.—5 pointed lobes fused at base; veins: dark purple,            N79A; ground tissue: green, RHS 136 C.        -   Peduncle.—6 mm length, 3 mm diameter, color RHS N79A.        -   Pedicle.—6 mm length, 1 mm diameter, color RHS N79A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen.—4 monoadelphous, lower part fused to corolla tube.        -   Anther.—Kidney-shaped, 0.25 mm in length, purple, N79B.        -   Filaments.—6 mm in length.        -   Pollen.—Plenty produced, RHS N79B.        -   Pistil.—1, lower part fused to corolla tube; free part 5 mm,            curling upward with cleft stigma, purple, N79B.        -   Ovary.—N144A, yellow-green.        -   Seed.—5 seeds per capsule; length and width 1 mm. Immature            seeds: RHS 150 B (light yellow-green).        -   Fragrance.—None.-   Weather tolerance: Plants of the new Plectranthus have exhibited    good tolerance to drought, rain and wind, low temperature resistant    to 5° C.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Plectranthus plant named ‘P000607’, asillustrated and described herein.